Band girdle



Dec. 28 1926.

Y s. E. B. SHEPARD BAND- GIRDLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 5. 1926Sarah n N w T T A s. E. B. SHEPARD BAND GIRDLE Filed Feb. 3. 1926 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Pateiited Dec. 28, 192 6.

I UNITED STATES SARAH E. B. SHEPARD, OF LOWELL, MASSACHUSETTS.

BAND emu.

Application filed February 3, 1926. Serial No. 85,736.

This invention relates to womens apparel, more particularly to anundergarment of the overlapping band girdle type, and has for its objectto provide in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a flexible band girdle,which when worn will permit freedom of movement without any discomfort,as well as imparting to the body of the wearer an erect, gracefulcarriage and shapely appearance.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner ashereinafter set forth, a flexible band girdle capable of being worn as acorset, at the same time preventing the discomfort or possible internalharm resulting when stilf corsets are worn, as well as overcoming theuncomfortable feeling of being laced in.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner ashereinafter set forth, a flexible band girdle having means for anc oringan undergarment, such as a combmation, therewith to prevent the latterbodily shifting throughout relative to the girdle thereby overcoming'any binding or cramping action upon the wearer by the combination whenthe latter is worn.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner ashereinafter set forth, a flexible band girdle of a length to have theend terminal portions thereof to overlap when the garment is worn andwith the body of the latter and one end terminal portion thereofprovided with co-aeting means, other than a lacing or hooks and eyes,for detachably securing the girdle in encircling position with respectto the body of the wearer when worn.

Further objects of the invention are to provide, in a manner ashereinafter set forth, a flexible undergarment of the overlapping bandgirdle type, which is simple in its construction and arrangement,strong, durable, compact, thoroughly efficient in its use, convenientlypositioned on the wearer, and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

\Vith the foregoing and other objects in View, the invention consists ofthe novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts ashereinafter more specifically described, and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention,but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modificationscan be resorted to which come within the scope of the claims hereuntoappended.

In the drawings wherein like reference characters denote correspondingparts throughout the several views F1gure'1 is a rear elevation of aband girdle, in accordance with this invention in position to be worn.

Figure 2 is a front elevation thereof in like position.

Figure 3 is a front elevation of the garment when extended.

Figure 4 is a rear elevation of the garment when extended.

Figure 5 is a section on line 5-5, Figure 4, looking in the direction ofthe arrows.

Figure 6 is a section on line 66, Figure 4, looking in the direction ofthe arrows.

Referring to the drawings in detail the undergarment comprises aflexible body portion referred to generally by the reference character 1and formed of a central section 2, a pair of intermediate sections 3, 4and a pair of end sections 5, 6. The sections 2, 3 and 4 graduallyincrease in width from their top to their bottom edges and are flush attheir top edges. The width of the sections 3 and 4 are substantially thesame and are of greater width than the section 2. The outer side edge ofthe section 3 as well as the section 4, inclines inwardly from thebottom to the top thereof whereby each intermediate section willgradually increase in width from itstop to its bottom so that when theend sections of the body portion 1 are secured together, in overlappingposition, as shown in Figure 1, the top of the girdle will be of smallerdiameter than its bottom as shown in Figure 2. The bottom of the section2 is incut as at 7 to provide a pair of flexible, depending tabs 8 andeach of these latter are formed with a button hole 9.

Each of the sections 2, 3 and 4 includes a flexible lining 10. The innerside edges of the sections 3, 4 at the lower portion thereof is formedat outward inclination from a point aligning with the top of a tab 9, asat 11, 12 respectively and such inclined por-' tions project away fromand are disconnected from the lower portions ofthe side edges of thesection 2 whereby the bottom or the tabs forming part of said section 2will be free to swing independent of the sections 3, 4. The inner sidemarginal portion of the fabric and lining of each of the sections 3, 4,is inturned, as indicated at 13, see Figure 5, and the said inturnedportions from the upper termini of the lower inclined parts of thei'nnerside edges of said sections 3, 4 overtion 5', at the outer end of thelatter is a restrip 22.

,lap the side marginal portions of the section '2. The sections 3, 4 aresecured to the sides of the section 2 by rows of stitching 14 14'.

Arranged against the inner face 0 the body portion 1, at the oints ofconnection of the section 2, with t e sections 3, 4, are a pair oftransversely extending stay members 15, 16 which extend upon the linings10. The stay member 15 is secured in position bylthe rows of stitching17, 18 and the stay member 16 by the rows of stitching 19, 20. Thefabric and lining of the section 2 are connected to ether by a row ofstitching 21 which exten s throughout the section 2 in proximity to itsedges, and not only connects section 4 to section 2, but also connectsthe fabric and lining of section 4 together.

7 The section 5, as well as the section 6, tapers lengthwise in adirection towards the free end thereof. The sections 5 and 6 are notlined throughout in the manner as referred to in connection withsections 2, 3 and 4. The length of either of the sections 5, 6 ismaterially greater than the width of either of the sections 2, 3 and 4.The inner ends of the sections 5, 6 are of a width equal to the lengthof the outer sides of the sections 3,.4 respectively.

Secured against the inner face'of the secinforcin piece 21. Secured tothe inner faceof t e section 5, at the top thereof is a narrow len hwiseextending reinforcing e section 5 is gathered and secured together as at23 to provide a dart. Secured to the lower portion of the outer face ofthe section 5 is a reinforcing stri 24.

The outer side marginal portions 0 the fabric lining of the section 3are inturned as at 25, and extending between said inturned portions isthe inner end of the section 5. The section 5 is secured tothe section3-by a row of stitching 26 and positioned against the inner face, at thepoint of joinder between the section 3 and 5, and extending from the topto the bottom edges of said sections and secured therewith by the rowsof stitching 28 and 29 is a stay member 27 formed from a length offlexible tape. The opposed edges of the section 3 and 5 are disposed atan inclination and the stay member 27 is disposed likewise.

The section 5 is formed in proximity to its top with "a series of spacedbutton-holes 30, in proximity to its free end with a buttonhole 31, inproximity to its bottom edge with a pair ofbutton-holes 32, and near itsbottom edge in proximity to its inner end with a button-hole 33 which isarranged adjacent to the dart formed in such section.

The section 6 has secured to its'inner face thereof, a reinforcing piece34 and a reinforcing (piece .35. Apart of the section 6 is gathereandsecured together to provide a dart 36. The section 6 has its innerend inturned as at 37 and such inturned portionis seated on the outerside marginal portion of the section 4. The reinforcing piece is.nturned as at 38 and seated against the lining 10 of the section 4. Theouter side .margmal portion of the section 4 extends between theinturned portions 37 and 38 and said section 4 is secured to the section6 by the stitching 39.

" Arranged against the inner .face of the body portion 1, at the pointof connection between the sections 4 and 6, is a stay member 40 which issecured to sections 4 and 6 by rows of stitching 41, 42 respectively.The outer side edge of the section 4 and the inner end edge'of thesection 6 extend at an inclination and the stay member 40 extends at alike inclination. The outer face of the section 6, at the inner endthereof has secured thereto a reinforcing member 43, of the samematerial from which said section 6 is formed. The stay member 43 is of alength less than the width of the section 6. The section 6 in proximityto its free end is provided with a pair of spaced button-holes 44 and inproximity to its inner end with a button-hole 45. Thebutton-holes 44 and45 are positioned in close proximity to the bottom edge of the section6.

One of the button-holes 30, of the section 5, extends through thereinforcing piece 21 and the other of the button-holes 30 of the section5 extend through the reinforcing strip 22. The button-hole 31 as well asthe button-hole 32 extend through the reinforcing piece 21 and thebutton-hole 33 extend through the reinforcing member 24. Thebutton-holes 44 of the section 6 extend through the reinforcing piece 34and the button-hole 45 extends through the reinforcing member 43.

The body portion 1 is provided with edge binders asv at 46, 47, 48, 49and 50. The bottom ed e of the section 2 is not provided with a' bmdingmeans. The button-holes are positioned adjacent the said binders. Thebutton-holes 30 and 31 extend lengthwise and the button-holes 9, 32, 33,44 and 45 are disposed transversely with respect to the body portion 1.

The outer face of the body portion 1 has secured thereto the buttons 51,52, 53 and 54 which. are employed for connecting the garment, such as acombination, tothe girdle, when the latter is worn and said buttonsprevent the shifting of the garment to overcome a binding or crampingaction on the wearer when the latter is worn.

Secured to the outer face of the section 6 are a series of spacedbuttons 55, 56, 57 and 58 which are arranged in an inclined row. Securedto the outer face of the reinforcing member 43 and below and forwardlywith respect to the button 58 is a button 59.

When the band is positioned upon the body of the wearer the buttons 55,56, 57, and 58 extend through the button-holes 30 and the button 59through the button-hole 31, and by this arrangement the end terminalportions of the girdle are detachably connected together in overlappinposition when the garment is secured to the wearer andthe free terminusof the end section is prevented from bulging outwardly when the girdleis worn. When the overlapping terminal portions of the body portion areconnected together, the button-holes 32 register with the button-holes45, and each pair of registering button-holes provides means foranchoring a garment supporter 6O therewith. The upper end of thesupporter 1s provided with a button 61 for extension through. the pairof registering button-holes. When the end terminal portions'of the bodyportion arein overlapping position the buttonhole 33 registers with thebutton-hole 44 and provides means for connecting a' garment supporter 62to the girdle. The supporter 62 has a button 63 at its outer end forpassage through the registering button-hole 33 and 45. The button-holes9 provide means for connecting garment supporter 64 to the girdle. Thesupporters 64 have their upper ends provided with buttons 65 for passagethrough the button-holes 9.

Secured to the inner face of the section 6, in proximity to the cut outportion 7 is a transversely extending loop forming member 66 forsuspension purposes and secured to the inner face of the section 6, inproximity to the lower edge thereof is a lengthwise extending loopforming member 67 for suspension purposes.

It is thought the many advanta es of a garment of the overlapping bandgirdle type, in accordance with this invention, can be readilyunderstood, and although the preferred embodiment of the invention is asillustrated and described, yet it is to be understood that changes ofthe details of construction can be had which will fall within the scopeof the invention as claimed.

What I claim is:

1. A body garment of the overlapping band girdle type comprising aflexible body portion of appropriate length for positioning in band likeform when worn, said body portion formed centrally of its lower partwith a pair of spaced flexible tabs positioned at the front of thegarment when worn and each provided with a button-hole for connectingagarment supporter therewith, and said body portion including a pair ofend portions each formed near its bottom edge with a plurality of spacedbutton-holes, the said button-holes of one terminal portion registeringwith the button-holes of the other terminal portion and each pair ofregistering button-holes providing means for connecting bodylportion.

2. body garment of the overlapping band girdle type comprising aflexible body portion of a lpropriate length for positionmg in band li eform when worn, said body portion formed centrally of its lower partwith a air of spaced flexible tabs positioned at the rout of the garmentwhen worn and each provided with a button-hole for connecting a garmentsupporter therewith and said body portion includin a pair of endportions each formedv near its bottom edge with a plurality of spacedbutton-holes, the said button-holes of one terminal portion registeringwith the button-holes of the other terminal portion and each pair ofregistering button-holes providing means for connecting a garmentsupporter to said body portion, and said registering openings positionedat the back of the garment when a garment supporter to said Worn.

3. A body garment of the overlapping band girdle type comprising aflexible body portion of appropriate length including a pair of endsections adapted to overlap when the garment is worn, one of saidsections having secured to its outer face an inclined row of spacedbuttons extending downward ly and inwardly from a point removed from theouter end of the top 'of such section and the latter further havinsecured, to its, outer face a button arranged below the lower button ofsaid row, and the other of said sections provided with a series ofbuttonholes near its top edge and a button-hole at its outer end, saidbutton-holes coacting with said buttons to secure said body portion inposition on the wearer.

4:. A body garment of the overlapping band girdle type comprising aflexible body portion of appropriate length including a pair of endsections adapted to overlap when the garment is worn,.one of saidsections having secured to its outer face an inclined row of spacedbuttons extending downwardly and inwardly from a point removed from theouter end of the top of such section and the latter further havingsecured to its outer face a button arranged below the lower button ofsaid row, and the other of said sections provided with a series ofbutton-holes near its top edge and a button-hole at its outer end, saidbutton-holes coacting with said buttons to secure said body portion inposition on the wearer, said body portion centrally of its lower partprovided with means for connecting garment supporters thereto, and eachof said end sections provided with a plurality of spaced buttonholes atthe bottom thereof, the spaced button-holes at the bottom of one sectionadapted to register with the spaced buttonholes at the bottom of theother section, each pair of registering button-holes providing meaiisfor connecting a garment supporter to the body portion.

5. A body garment of the overlappingwardly and inwardly from a pointremoved from the outer end of the top of such section and the-latterfurther havingsecured to its outer f ace a button arranged below thelower button of said row, and the other of said sections provided with aseries of buttonholes near its top edge and a button-hole at its outerend, said button-holes coacting with said buttons to secure'said bodyportion in position on the wearer, and each of said sections inproximity to its inner end at its lower part provided with dart formingmeans. w

6. A body garment of the overlapping band girdle type comprising aflexible body to its outer face a button positioned below the lowerbutton of said row, the other of said sections provided with a seriesofspaced button holes near its top edge and a button hole at its outerend, said button hole disposed to coact with said buttons to secure saidbody portion in position on the wearer when the end sections are inoverlapping position, and spaced means disposed throughout the bodyportion other than that section providcd'with buttons for detachablyconnecting a garment therewith in-enveloping position with respectthereto.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature hereto.

SARAH E. B. SHEPARD.

